http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2006smallarms/taylor.pdf
Is the Weapon Shot Counter described in the above presentation a realistic idea? Evidently it’s being promoted as a Preventative Maintenance tool to keep worn out bolts, barrels, and gas ports from being a headache.
It’s a very real requirement but the counter being discussed in the presentation has had its share of problems. It appears that the company involved has quite a lock on the IP and the counters themselves are expensive.
I understand thru the rumor mill that competing designs are out there but have not seen anything yet.
Duck-tape a pedometer to your HG. 
As an aside, how many of you guys keep a log for each of your weapons? Including round count, malfunctions etc…?
I usually keep track of the number of rounds I put through my weapons and keep track of which mags malfunction, does anybody else do this and include more information? If you include more, what and why?
(Sorry if this is too much a hijack, I’ll start another thread if directed to.)
Thanks.
I pick up my brass at the range (Ft. Dix) after I am done and save them in bags. Most of my shooting is done there since I live in the republic of New Jersey. Not hard to pick them up, and the staff prefer you do so anyway. I don’t count them, but it gives me a good general idea as to how many I have put through my 3 AR’s. If someone ever wanted them, or if things get even worse regarding ammo availability, they are there if needed.
Yes. I keep an Excel spreadsheet with a tab for each gun. Data I collect includes date, location, rounds fired (interval recording), brand and type of ammo, malfunctions experienced, any changes in gun configuration since last shot (sights adjusted, gun cleaned, components changed).
I spend my day job analyzing reliability and maintainability data from helicopters, so I had an idea as to what I wanted when I created the spreadsheet. It is still a work in progress, since guns aren’t helicopters. I probably would have created it in MS Access, but I don’t have that on my home computer.
I think a cheap and reliable shot counter that could be attached to the weapon and gave a guaranteed round count would be a pretty neat thing. So long as it wasn’t too big or heavy and could tell the differences between actual shots and dry firing/rough handling, it would be like an odeometer for your gun.
+1
Though mine is more basic with just date fired, number of rounds, date cleaned, and some notes on PM or special cleaning like polishing the throat.
Being a victim of my frame of reference …
I keep a page of the weapon, ser # and specifics (optic ser # and the like), with other pertinent data.
I have a list of date acquired, and mods/ malfunctions/ replacement parts/
I keep a list of rounds fired and when (to the nearest 30).
I also keep a pic of each with this, both hardcopy and on file.
I spend my day job analyzing reliability and maintainability data from helicopters, so I had an idea as to what I wanted when I created the spreadsheet. It is still a work in progress, since guns aren’t helicopters. I probably would have created it in MS Access, but I don’t have that on my home computer.
I was wondering “Wow, that’s really detailed! What’s he do for a living?” and in the very next sentence, I was saying to myself “Well, that would explain it!”
I don’t have a lot of opportunity to shoot, because getting range time and ammo together isn’t all that simple, so for my particular carbine, I have mostly mental notes. That’s going to have to get thrown on a spreadsheet soon, as its nearing the point of being more difficult to remember accurate records for it.
Question for those that keep detailed records: do you account for dry firing time, too? I do a lot of that, since the TV is both a good source of moving targets.
I do not, but now that you mention it, I probably should. Thanks!
No. IME as a “yellow glass” shooter who has done a boatload of dryfiring with ARs and quality bolt guns, dry firing does not cause appreciable wear or reliability problems.
I took a NM RRA upper to just over 6500 rounds (going through two barrels) with the same BCG and firing pin it came with. In those 6500 rounds or so, I must have dry fired at least 1/2 that many times as well. I never had a single reliability problem (broken or worn parts) with that rifle.
I know, I know, it’s a sample of one. So I am open to first hand experience about dry firing eventually causing damage to CF rifles.
Guess we better start prototyping MOLLE compatible pouches for these, like right NOW!
In who’s mind?
Hey Lumpy,
Round count maintenance is the more expensive, but easier way to go.
Its the way aviation weapons systems are run, and I really like the idea of doing personal weapons this way. I can keep all the log books on a memory stick or laptop, and do not have to deal with calibration of gauges or carry a bunch of special tools.
I would never say that this is the way to go with non.gov weapons, but its what works best with Uncle.
Luke